HC Deb 13 June 1955 vol 542 cc260-1
31. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom with regard to the proposal for a special United Nations fund for economic development.

Lord John Hope

Her Majesty's Government support the principle of a fund. A United Nations General Assembly resolution of 7th December, 1953, envisaged that a fund should be set up when sufficient progress had been made in internationally supervised world-wide disarmament, thus freeing the required resources. Such progress has not yet been achieved.

Mr. Henderson

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that world economic development is just as urgent as world disarmament? Will not the Government make it clear that, in the event of this special United Nations fund being established to deal with this problem, they will be prepared to make their financial contribution?

Lord John Hope

We shall obviously await the state of affairs agreed by every one to be desirable and make our decision.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Is not the Joint Under-Secretary aware of the need for something far more positive than this? Several smaller nations have indicated willingness to make their contributions without awaiting actual success in disarmament negotiations. Why should not we indicate now our willingness to follow their example?

Lord John Hope

The House knows quite well that a very great deal has been done in all sorts of ways towards the ends which the hon. Gentleman has in view. It does not help very much to try to pretend that there is nothing at all being done.